198 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Identification. — The scale rows 21 or 19 two heads -lengths 

 before the vent, and an entire anal shield will distinguish it 

 from other Ceylon snakes. 



Habits. — (a) Haunts : It is usually to be found in or 

 near jungle, though this may not be Very dense. It is Very 

 frequently encountered by coolies working on estates. It will 

 quarter itself in and about well -populated areas, being some- 

 times found in cantonment limits, and it is no unusual 

 circumstance for it to stray into habitations. One was killed 

 in the Municipal Library inAlmora two years ago, and another 

 in my sweeper's house. This one would expect from the 

 nature of its food. 



(b) Disposition: All who have remarked upon the species 

 are in agreement as to its vicious temper. Russell speaking 

 of a specimen he had in Vizagapatam says : " It appeared 

 singularly alert in its movements, and snapped at everything 

 presented to it." Colonel Light remarked of one that " it 

 showed great fierceness, and struck repeatedly at the stick 

 when being killed." I have found it a Very plucky snake. 

 One fine specimen proved a most truculent snake to capture. 

 It buried its teeth in the butterfly net used to encompass it, 

 and fought till it got itself hopelessly tangled in the net. 



(c) Striking posture: Russell, speaking of one, says : "In 

 preparing to attack, it wreathed its neck, and part of the 

 trunk, into close turns, and at the same time, retracting its 

 head, presented at a distance, something of the appearance 

 of a hooded snake. When it snapped, the body being more 

 raised by the assistance of the tail, the wreaths were rapidly 

 unwreathed, and the head darted obliquely forward with 

 motion so rapid that the animal, without rising from the 

 ground seemed to fly on his prey. In this 'manner it could 

 unexpectedly seize an object which in appearance lay far 

 beyond its reach. A chicken, intended for experiment, 

 having made its escape, was accidentally pursued into the 

 chamber where the snake had been left at liberty, and was no 

 sooner perceived than the snake flew furiously at him, snapped 

 several times as he passed, and soon seized and secured him 

 by wreathing round the body. In two minutes the bird was 



